I'm admittedly behind the times, but I'm noticing quite a few men (and some women) wearing paracord or "survival" bracelets. I don't own one because 1) I'm not trendy and 2) a Veteran neighbor of mine wears one and I don't want to insult him by doing so, having not been in the military.

What's the thought on these? Are they simply tacticool and only the mall ninjas should don them? Is it somehow more acceptable to insist that a paracord bracelet is just a simple means of carrying several feet of high tensile strength string? Or are they just grownup friendship bracelets like our generation was responsible for in elementary school?

Trend
Mall Ninja
Tacticool
etc.

It's a fad. Kind of like buying an AR. People do it because they think it makes them cool. Nothing more, nothing less.

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Trend
Mall Ninja
Tacticool
etc.

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in addition, i'd offer the popularity of shows such as Survivorman, Dual Survival, Man vs Wild, etc. not that they advocate paracord bracelets, per se, but they frequently show the usefulness of scrounged/reutilized/improvised cordage.

My daughter (definitely NOT a mall ninja) made herself one during an escape and evasion course. So I give her a break. She wore it off and on during the months after she made it, not so much now.

So I'm wondering how active duty military views them.

I will say I would like to learn how to do the braiding. My BIL has a buddy that made a sling for his rifle. It turned out great (even though it's hot pink) but "was a royal pain in the ass" and he's "never making another one".

Rule 1:

Bought one at a gun show to keep my 8 month old occupied. Best $4 I spent that day.

I guess if he really wanted to escape his crib or set up a booby-trap for me and mrs. civie as we entered his room, I guess he could do that.

Other than that, we mostly use it as a carabiner that he can chew on.

When I was active duty Army we had pretty easy access to para cord. My boots were always laced with para cord in case I needed some real quick like. Plus we always had quite a bit of it in our rucksacks when out on operations. And our platoon supply vehicle (2.5 or 5 ton) usually had a couple of the big rolls of it in case we needed a lot. I think they were either 500' or 1000' rolls.

I made a sling similar to the one in the picture above ( takes a while )

I wouldn't wear the bracelet, but I made a maroon and white one my wife wears sometimes on gameday

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I guess if he really wanted to escape his crib or set up a booby-trap for me and mrs. civie as we entered his room, I guess he could do that.

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Bought one. Threw it in my survival kit. Don't wear it. That would look stupid.

I wore one when I spent a week camping and climbing a mountain in Colorado over the summer, but it's not something I'd wanna wear around all the time. They're kind of bulky. And I don't like wearing "jewelry".

Eh I have one I wear sometimes when I'm backpacking in case I need it for something but I have to remind myself to put it on. I think they are just the "trend" now as I got mine as a gift.

I also have a similar concept of one that's braided etc but has a fire starter within that is in the form of a key chain. I keep it on the zipper of my hunting pack, I bought it because I did think it could be very useful if I got stranded in the mountains of Colorado and ran out of other fire starters hah.

When I was deployed in 2005 we would make them and use them as currency. The flight attendant chicks loved them.

I just keep coiled and square knotted lengths of 550 in the bottom of my backpacks. Better than having something strapped to my wrist, and not as bulky as carrying a full 100' roll. And I had to use it a time or two, mainly tying deer parts to the outside of the pack to make it more secure.

Todd,

I think you and I may have the same Sling maker. Do you work at A&M? He made one for my daughter.

Also: mall ninja, tacticool etc. I won't wear one.

[This message has been edited by SAWgunner (edited 1/9/2013 11:49a).]

With my son in Boy Scouts I've learned to make a few paracord projects. They are an easy way to pass the time at Summer Camp. I always have a little trouble getting the initial pattern down, but after that, it's just repetition

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I think you and I may have the same Sling maker.

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Not likely as this individual is in Lubbock.

On the other hand, I'm surprised at the number of folks that do this after some internet research. The guy my BIL used made it sound like it was not worth ever doing again, but plenty of guys are making and selling these.

I;ve got one. I don't normally wear it though. Maybe when hunting or backpacking, just for an emergency. In a SHTF situation, it would definitely be something I put on before I walk out the door, but not really useful or necessary on a day to day basis.

http://shop.greenberetfoundation.org/accessories/gbf-tactical-operator-band/

Saw this one this morning and thought I would share. I would like to see how he makes these.

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The GBF Tactical Operator Band is designed to fit the mission needs of Special Operations Personnel. The band was designed to allow the operator to have survival essential items at all times. The P51 can opener can be removed from the bracelet without causing damage to the rest of the band for use in a survival situation. The flint can also be used as a sink weight for the fishing hook and line. 12' of 550 Paracord 30' of 80lb Fishing Line 1 x #8 fishing hook 1 x handcuff key locked into the buckle 1 x p51 can opener 1 x flint fire starter rod 1 x snare/leader wire Developed by a Special Forces SERE Level C Graduate Made in the USA by a US Army Combat Veteran.

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Yes that WAS a large picture Wombat!!!

[This message has been edited by Lobster Twins (edited 1/30/2013 12:49p).]

Holy cow! I think I can see the individual atoms in that paracord.

I had one of these made with my four deployments embossed onto the dog tag.

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I will say I would like to learn how to do the braiding.

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Its just a Cobra stitch so far as I can tell. Looks exactly like what I use to make duck call lanyards and carriers.

I wear a lime green one but only because one of my students made it for me (3rd grader)...

This is my go to 'paracord'

common pattern used in hemp jewelry, but now instead of hippy kids wearing hemp abercrombie jewelry you have people who would hang out on the OB wearing cool paracord jewelry. a functional way to carry 10ft of cord with you when your out and about.

I've got one (black). Wear it on occasion, but not often as it's bulky to wear with long sleeved shirts.

Seems bagging on paracord bracelets is just as trendy a thing to do as the mall ninjas wearing them. Where's the list that was created of all the things considered acceptable / not acceptable by the OB?

I'd probably wear one, but on my ankle though, since I'm not a fan of wristwraps/watches and such. If you incorporated a RoadID tag, it might be additionally functional.

I bought one from http://www.survivalstraps.com/ because they support charities that support my brothers and sisters in emergency services and veterans and stuff. I don't really wear it every day but if I go camping or hiking I usually bring it along just in case.

Also they have a guarantee that if you used yours in a survival situation they'd give you a new one free.